starac
/stârat͡s/Latin, masculine
The English phrase "old man" is translated into Croatian as starac.
starac is a noun used to refer to an elderly man.
Meaning: elderly man (noun)
Which one should you use?
While starac means an elderly man, it is more formal or literary than the colloquial term stari čovjek.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form starac changes to starca when it is the direct object of a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/stârats/
Did you know?
- Croatian has a specific word starić which is a diminutive of starac, used to describe an old man in a way that is more affectionate or endearing.
- In traditional Croatian folklore, the figure of the starac often appears as a wise guide or a trickster who tests the morality of younger protagonists.
- The word starac is inherited from the Proto-Slavic word *starьcь, showing that this specific way of naming an elderly man has remained stable across many Slavic languages for centuries.
Examples in context
- Što kažeš, stari? Jesi li spreman za ribolov?What do you say, old man? Are you ready for fishing?
- Hej, starče, ideš li danas na utakmicu?Hey, old man, are you going to the match today?
- Taj starac je jako dobar.That old man is very kind.
- Starac sjedi na klupi u parku.The old man is sitting on a park bench.
Example conversation
Ivana and Mateo are walking in the city center.
- IvanaPogledaj onog starca preko puta.Look at that old man across the street.
- MateoDa, izgleda jako ljubazno.Yes, he looks very kind.
- IvanaMislim da je on starac iz moje ulice.I think he is the old man from my street.
- MateoMožda bi ga trebao pozdraviti.Maybe you should greet him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “old man” translations and entries starac, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries starac, CC BY-SA 4.0.
